Another arrest, more charges in Krejcir case

Johannesburg - Hours after a third Hawks officer was arrested as a conspirator in the kidnapping case against Radovan Krejcir, one of the other men linked to Krejcir was charged with two additional armed robbery charges.

Warrant Officer Jan Mofokeng, of the organised crime unit in Germiston, was arrested at his offices on Tuesday as the sixth suspect in the kidnapping case that has kept Krejcir behind bars since November.

This relates to an incident where Krejcir and three other men allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a man whose brother disappeared with a shipment of tik he was meant to smuggle through OR Tambo International Airport.

Police spokesman Solomon Makgale said the officer appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and was expected back for a formal bail application next Thursday.

Police sources have been tight-lipped on how Mofokeng was connected to the kidnapping, but said further arrests of officials could be in the offing.

Owen Serero, one of the men accused of trying to kill investigators looking into Krejcir’s activities, was on Wednesday linked to two more cases of armed robbery as the charges against him piled up.

Serero was arrested earlier this month as one of four suspects accused of conspiring to kill forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba.

While O’Sullivan’s combative history with Krejcir has been widely publicised, Ximba is understood to be part of the task team investigating the Czech.

But as that case continues at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, Serero’s other crimes will be prosecuted – for the moment – in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

It was revealed last week that Serero had been linked to a series of hijackings, and had escaped from police custody after being arrested.

Prosecutor Penny Pillay revealed on Wednesday that an identity parade might be conducted soon to determine whether Serero could be linked to other crimes.